Infections on extracorporeal life support in adults and children – a survey of international practice on prevention, diagnosis, and treatment

Abstract

Objectives: To assess nosocomial infection management practices in pediatric and adult patients supported with extracorporeal life support. Design: A 23-question online survey was developed to assess practices related to infection prevention, surveillance, diagnosis, and treatment in patients managed on extracorporeal life support. The survey was distributed internationally to intensivists via online newsletters and e-mail from June to December 2017. Setting: Extracorporeal life support centers. Subjects: Intensivists working in extracorporeal life support centers. Interventions: None. Results: We analyzed 147 responses from 25 countries. Most centers have bundles implemented as standard of care to prevent against ventilator-associated pneumonia (77%) and central catheter-associated bloodstream infections (91%). Prophylactic antibiotics beyond cannulation are at least occasionally used by 61% of respondents. Daily C-reactive protein (35%) and white cell count (80%) are the most commonly used surveillance biomarkers, and 25% of respondents reported collecting daily surveillance cultures. Participants responded that new onset of hemodynamic instability and rising C-reactive protein (49%) or rising procalcitonin (30%) are the most common triggers to commence antibiotics. Conclusion: There is considerable variability surrounding practices on prevention and diagnosis of infection in patients treated with extracorporeal life support. In view of the impact of infections acquired during extracorporeal life support, further research to inform recommendations on prevention, diagnosis, and management of infection on extracorporeal life support is urgently needed.